The Key to Losing Fat May Not Be Aerobics Alone

While many people falsely believe that aerobic exercise is the only way to burn fat, this is a fallacy that will leave them lacking the tools needed to improve their overall health and make the fat loss a permanent part of their lives. Aerobic training is mostly low-intensity, long duration exercise. A person will continue to burn calories for several hours after aerobic exercise. However, this is not the only method of fat loss, and it may not be the most effective.

Other advertisements claim that certain crash diets will promote fat loss. No crash diet is a permanent answer. Even if an individual sees results from following an extreme diet, as soon as they begin to eat normally again, the weight is destined to return. In addition, crash diets leave your body lacking in vital nutrients, which can leave you tired, depressed, and unmotivated.

A healthy diet can certainly aid in fat loss. A nutritional plan low in fat, moderate in whole grains and other good carbohydrates, and high in lean protein will promote weight loss and help increase a person’s metabolism, especially when evenly spaced as five to six small meals throughout the day. However, if a person has been eating poorly for an extended period of time, or leads a sedentary lifestyle, diet alone will probably not produce the desired results. The metabolism will need to be jumpstarted to help begin the desired weight loss. In many cases, this can be done with a zig-zag type diet, which will keep the body guessing as to how much food to expect, in turn causing it to burn more calories.

One of the most effective methods of fat loss by far is to increase lean body mass with resistance training (i.e., weight training). Increasing muscle mass will actually cause a person’s metabolism to increase, so that they are burning fat around the clock, even while sleeping. Resistance training causes small tears to the muscles, which will cause the body to burn fat while repairing and rebuilding the muscle. This typically occurs while the body rests, which is why it is vital for a person to get plenty of sleep. Gaining a mere 10 pounds of muscle can burn up to 5 pounds of fat per month, or 62 pounds in a year! Muscle also gives a person the lean and toned ‘fit look’ that so many people desire.

While aerobic training is an important element for fat loss, a person should combine it with resistance exercise to add lean body mass, a healthy diet to feed the body with needed nutrients, and at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night, for the ultimate body transformation in the shortest possible time frame.

Mike Lloyd is an ISSA Certified Fitness Trainer and proud former Army Ranger and Marine. He has been involved in the fitness industry for over 20 years. He and his wife enjoy working out together and sharing their knowledge and support via their weight loss/fitness website, PersonalFitnessZone.com

1. Prev:The Painful Truth about Weight Loss and Dieting
2. Next:Avoiding Holiday Weight Gain